Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter V
Almostanyoneoftheotherbarnsinthecountycouldbeswung,bird-cagefashion,insideofit,withroomtospare.Ineverysense,thebarnwaspreciselywhatAnnixterhadhopedofit.Inhispleasureoverthesuccessofhisidea,evenHilmaforthemomentwasforgotten.
“And,now,”murmuredAnnixter,“I’llgivethatdanceinit.I’llmake’emsitup.”
Itoccurredtohimthathehadbettersetaboutsendingouttheinvitationsfortheaffair.Hewaspuzzledtodecidejusthowthethingshouldbemanaged,andresolvedthatitmightbeaswelltoconsultMagnusandMrs.Derrick.
“Iwanttotalkofthistelegramofthegoat’swithMagnus,anyhow,”hesaidtohimselfreflectively,“andthere’sthingsIgottodoinBonnevillebeforethefirstofthemonth.”
Heturnedaboutonhisheelwithalastlookatthebarn,andsetofftowardthestable.HehaddecidedtohavehishorsesaddledandrideovertoBonnevillebywayofLosMuertos.Hewouldmakeadayofit,wouldseeMagnus,Harran,oldBrodersonandsomeofthebusinessmenofBonneville.
Afewmomentslater,herodeoutofthebarnandthestable-yard,afreshcigarbetweenhisteeth,hishatslantedoverhisfaceagainsttheraysofthesun,asyetlowintheeast.Hecrossedtheirrigatingditchandgainedthetrail—theshortcutoverintoLosMuertos,bywayofHooven’s.Itledsouthandwestintothelowgroundovergrownbygrey-greenwillowsbyBrodersonCreek,atthistimeoftherainyseasonastreamofconsiderablevolume,fartherondippingsharplytopassunderneaththeLongTrestleoftherailroad.
